Let Him Acknowledge
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. ~1 Corinthians 14:37
Submission is when we are in subordination to an authority that is higher than us. Submission is a necessity in all matters of life for rule and order. In the military, submission means to come under the rank of a superior. In short, submission means to follow wholeheartedly and without reservation. This morning, let us consider the importance of our submission to the Word of the Lord.
We see an office description.
“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual....” To be a prophet is to fulfill the calling of God for the proclamation of God’s Word. The preaching of God’s Word is to be taken with the utmost seriousness and urgency. The preacher is God’s man with God’s message for a needy multitude. By the same token, to claim that we are spiritual is also a serious matter. To make the claim of being spiritual means that we are walking in the power of the Spirit and His fruit is frequently evident in our life. A spiritual person is one who has the mind of God in spiritual matters and is filled with wisdom from God’s Word.
We see an obligated demand.
“Let him acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” A truly spiritual man is completely in submission to the commandments of the Lord. Commandments are orders to be obeyed. To not follow them is disobedience. A true man of God is under the authority of the Word of God. He lives by conviction that God’s Word is trustworthy, reliable, and to be obeyed. He would die for the Word before he would disobey the Word. Men who bend, ignore, or disobey the Word of God indicate a lack of authenticity. Their ministries will lack credibility and are suspected of having a motive other than the glory of God. A true preacher and spiritual person should be bothered when they do not live according to God’s Word.
We see an ordered discipline.
What holds true for a preacher should hold true for all Christians. Every Christian must acknowledge in their life that they are in submission to God’s Word. This should make us pause and think very soberly when we read God’s Word. God’s commands require our complete submission and follow-through. Loving fellow believers is a command. Preaching the gospel to everyone is a command. Telling the truth, praying without ceasing, being filled with the Spirit, pursuing holiness, and many more are disciplines that we must be in submission to.
True submission demands that we obey God. It is demonstrated through obedience and follow-through. Are you someone who talks as if you are spiritual but lags when it comes to obedience? Are you someone who desires to be spiritual but is struggling? The solution lies in being in total submission to a higher authority: that authority is God’s Word!
Have a submissive God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 4-8